This is a man who needs no introduction. Reno Msad first caught my attention when I found his Instagram page. His style has a touch of graffiti to it which instantly caught my eye. Having followed him for awhile, I though it would be cool to spread the word on this insanely gifted artist.
Without further ado, here's Reno.
COMIC LOUNGE: First off can you tell us a little about yourself?
RENO MSAD: My Name is Reno Msad pronounced (Ree-No Muh-SOD).
I am a New York based artist, born and raised in the Bronx. I’ve done everything from graffiti to graphic design in my career. I ran a small animation studio from 2006-2011 with my partner Rene Avalos. We worked with clients like Sony, MTV, Universal and Pfizer. In 2013 I decided I wanted to become a stronger illustrator and make my way into comic books and larger artwork. I’ve been focused on this ever since and here I am getting interviewed by the amazing Comics Lounge!
COMIC LOUNGE: What was your first experience with comics as a kid?
MSAD: My first experience with comics would probably be watching Superman the movie and the Adam West Batman TV show reruns as a kid with my Dad. I think I became obsessed with actual comic books when my older sister had brought some home after seeing the Dark Crystal film by Jim Henson. I was very young at the time but I do recall the feeling of being obsessed with images on the pages and knew that I wanted to be a part of comics some how.
COMIC LOUNGE: Who were some of the artists that inspired you growing up?
MSAD: Oh this is always tough for me to answer since so many artists have inspired me over the years. I’ll focus just on comic artist for now. My earliest memories bring me back to Norm Breyfogle, Jim Lee and Arthur Adams. Arthur’s Work on the Long Shot mini series and the Marvel Series One cards was amazing. Later on I would also fall in love with the dynamic work of Joe Madureira who also went to the same high school that I did, Art & Design located in New York City.
COMIC LOUNGE:When did you first decide to become an artist?
MSAD: Probably at 5 years old. Ive been drawing for as long as I can remember. I would doodle everywhere even places I wasn’t supposed to. In school I could never stay focused and would constantly draw in the margins of all my papers.
COMIC LOUNGE: Do you do art full time?
MSAD: I do art full time in one way or another. Being strictly an illustrator living in NYC can have its challenges financially so it helps to have different avenues of income from your art. At this point in my career I mainly work on commissions but also do some graphic design from time to time to pay bills.
COMIC LOUNGE: What are some of the comics or creators you're currently following?
MSAD: Currently I am following Edwin Huang aka @IronPinky on Instagram. He worked for my studio in 2010 and really inspired me to focus more on my passion for illustrating. He’s a really hard worker and insanely talented. In the daytime this kid was working on key frame animation for us and in the evening drawing the artwork for the comic SkullKickers written by Jim Zub and published by Image comics.
I need to show love to the homie Nuri Durr aka @ActionHankBeard on instagram. He’s been a huge influence on me. His work with Copic markers really changed my perception on coloring. I HATED coloring anything by hand before I saw his work.
Also following Arthur Adams, Ed McGuiness, Tradd Moore, Jason Edminston, Billy Fowler and James Jean.
COMIC LOUNGE: Do you stick strictly to commissions or would you like to work on your own comic someday?
MSAD: At the moment mainly larger 11x17 commissions but I absolutely would like to work on my own comic. I am not the most amazing writer but whatever I write I want to make sure its authentic and has the best version of my art possible.
COMIC LOUNGE:What are you preferred tools when illustrating?
MSAD: Preferred tools are pencil and paper but I like to also draw my layouts digitally in Photoshop with a Wacom Intous tablet or in Procreate on my iPad Pro.
COMIC LOUNGE: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist?
MSAD: Creating art that both my fans and myself really love. Also challenging myself to level up. Its not easy but with each piece I create I like to experiment and try new tools or materials.